An Alarming Number of North Dakota Teachers Want to Quit their Jobs

"The Great Resignation" is happening all around the country.

Many employees in all types of career fields across the country are quitting their jobs. In fact, the term "The Great Resignation" has been coined due to the fact that 33 million Americans have reportedly quit their jobs since the spring of 2021. This event is even happening in North Dakota and it may affect our education system.

A poll by North Dakota United determined that 62% of educators are considering leaving their profession.

North Dakota teachers may love what they do, but they are fatigued by their jobs. A press release from United North Dakota reports that our state's educators are considering leaving their profession at an alarming rate. Things like "Increased workloads, stagnant wages, fabricated political controversies and threats to degrade retirement and health insurance benefits have led to a record level of burnout and heightened concerns for the future" are factors cited for wanting to leave.

Most teachers I have met or known say they teach because it is their passion. But passion only goes so far. In general, employees need to feel heard, appreciated and secure in their jobs. It is also important to compensate employees appropriately for work for their jobs. If the majority of employees are feeling run down, underpaid, and underappreciated, it is only a matter of time before they will be looking to leave. And there is already a teacher shortage in North Dakota, so something should be done to make it worth their while to continue teaching.